Brad Thorn
60 results

These are uncertain times indeed, and while there are countless bigger issues in the world, this is certainly true for the 90 or so players whose cont(...)

Leinster need to follow Munster’s lead and sign some marquee names
- European Cup
- September 25, 2020, 06:00
One of the standout features of this dismembered rugby season was when Damian de Allende and RG Snyman appeared in Munster colours. De Allende, a 28(...)

Gerry Thornley: When players hit their 30s, they can really hit their stride
- Rugby
- September 1, 2020, 06:00
Brian O’Driscoll had barely turned 20 when he announced himself to the world in his rookie season with that hat-trick in Paris. He was only 21 when he(...)

Sporting Cathedrals: Fortress Thomond, where the 16th man always gets his game
- Rugby
- July 22, 2020, 06:00
Picture the scene. Around tea-time on a Saturday, it’s approaching kick-off. Munster have their backs to the wall yet again, some Fancy Dans from Engl(...)

Gerry Thornley: Stoppage could tip balance in favour of big money teams
- Rugby
- June 2, 2020, 06:30
About eight minutes into the 2014 final of what was then known as the Rabo Direct Pro12 between Leinster and Glasgow, Brian O’Driscoll’s farewell game(...)

Japan’s Luke Thompson aiming to bow out on a high
- International
- September 15, 2019, 19:00
Brighton 2015: spot the Kiwi on 83 minutes, having milled Adriaan Strauss off Japanese ball, all but leaning on the shoulder of Harumichi Tatekawa yet(...)

Matt Williams: Getting rid of Devin Toner beggars belief
- International
- September 3, 2019, 06:00
On the Thursday afternoon before the opening game of this year’s Six Nations against England, my phone started to light up. Joe Schmidt had selected R(...)

Whatever happened to the wonderful Rocky Elsom?
- Rugby
- May 27, 2019, 06:00
Rocky Elsom’s biographer wastes no time entering the realm of hagiography. “Rocky is like a modern day renaissance man, a Leonardo da Vinci in studs,(...)

Isa Nacewa: Leinster can expect all out war against Saracens
- European Cup
- May 11, 2019, 06:00
April 2012. Someway, somehow we kept out Clermont Auvergne under blazing Bordeaux sun. Walking back down the tunnel at Stade Chaban-Delmas that unmist(...)
![Rocky Elsom in action for Leinster: “We adopted an under-12s mentality in many games that season [2008-9]. Give the ball to the big fella and pile after him. It worked, especially against Munster at Croke Park.” Photograph: Graham Stuart/Inpho Rocky Elsom in action for Leinster: “We adopted an under-12s mentality in many games that season [2008-9]. Give the ball to the big fella and pile after him. It worked, especially against Munster at Croke Park.” Photograph: Graham Stuart/Inpho](/polopoly_fs/1.3876551.1556723049!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_140/image.jpg)
Gordon D'Arcy: Foreign signings put Irish provinces on European map
- Rugby
- May 1, 2019, 06:00
There are several reasons for the continued success of the Irish provinces. Home grown talent will always matter. Some brilliant coaching tickets have(...)